Interindividual variability in xenobiotic metabolism and drug response is extensive. Genetic factors are predicted to account for 15-30% of this variability in general, but for certain drugs the genetic factor is the major determinant for outcome of drug therapy. Of particular importance for drug metabolism, drug response, and adverse drug reactions are the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, many of which are polymorphic. An essential basis for research and applications regarding interindividual variability in xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity by polymorphic CYPs is to have a common nomenclature for genetic variants and a system that allows researchers to be rapidly updated within the field. Since 1999 this has been achieved by the operation of the Human Cytochrome P450 Allele Nomenclature Committee Web site ( http://www.imm.ki.se/CYPalleles/ ), where novel allelic variants are published after peer review. Currently, this Web site covers the nomenclature for polymorphic alleles of 22 CYP isoforms including more than 200 functionally different variants. Each CYP has its own Web page, which lists the alleles with their nucleotide changes, their functional consequences, and links to publications where the allele has been identified and characterized. The CYP allele Web site offers a rapid on-line publication of new alleles, provides an overview of peer-reviewed data, and serves as a form of quality control on research on new alleles.
Keywords: Pharmacogenetics; adverse drug reactions; drug metabolism; drug response; haplotypes.